Mechanimal – White Flag (Vinyl 7” – Inner Ear)
Genre/Influences: New-wave, goth-pop.
Background/Info: Based in Athens (Greece) Giannis Papaioannou is already active under the Mechanimal moniker for a couple of years now. He’s actually preparing his fourth full length album and released the “White Flag”-7” as an appetizer.
Content: “White Flag” features two sides. “Easy Dead” has something retro-like and features a modern touch on top. I experienced the song as a mix between new-wave and dark-pop creating a hypnotic sensation with sensual vocals on top. The B-side cut sounds more pop-like. This single reveals a precise balance between electronics and guitar.
+ + + : “Easy Dead” is a sublime song with a perfect harmony between guitar playing and electronics. The sensual, half-spoken like vocals of Giannis Papaioannou totally fits with the music. It sounds retro-like and yet refreshing. The chorus has something transcendental. The other song entitled “Red Mirror” is less dark and more pop-like in a way. I can’t say it’s a real B-side song as the Mechanimal made a clip of this song (and of “Easy Dead” as well).
– – – : This is a great single so I’m just a little bit frustrated I still have to wait for the album.
Conclusion: There’s no better way to announce a new album than releasing such an outstanding single!
Best songs: “Easy Dead”, “Red Mirror”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/Mechanimal.Official
Label: www.inner-ear.gr / www.facebook.com/InnerEarRecords
About Mechanimal
Mechanimal is the solo and collective project of Giannis Papaioannou, based in Athens, Greece. Papaioannou was previously the vocalist and keyboard player in the dark electro post-punk band Rehearsed Dreams, which released its album on Creep Records in 1985. In 1992 he co-founded the label Elfish with Makis Faros, with whom he also recorded as the electronic duo Raw, and since 1996 he has also released music under the name ION.
Mechanimal issued its self-titled debut in 2012 and continued on Inner Ear with releases including “Obscure” in 2014, ΔΠΔ in 2016 and “Sawdust” in 2017, before the album “Holy Punk” and the “White Flag” single both appeared in 2019.
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